The Hornets finally looked like a cohesive basketball team Monday night at Staples Center.
Sure, they beat the Clippers, a team they have defeated 10 straight times. But, the Hornets did what they were supposed to do, bludgeon a bad club.
Several significant events happened within the game Monday night.
Peja was back in his starting role. The Julian Wright experiment seems to be over, and that is a good thing. When Peja is on the floor, other teams have to respect him as one of the great three point shooters in the history of the game. Sure, he's a liability on defense, but he has one great skill, and that skill must be in the game.
Julian Wright cannot shoot effectively from the perimeter. I do not know how a player who can't make jump shots succeeds at the small forward spot in the NBA. Do you?
Devin Brown played very well at the two spot. I thought Brown was finished as an NBA player. But, if he can contribute 10-12 points a night and play solid defense, that will do until ..
Marcus Thornton is ready. The former LSU Tiger is small (6-3) for a two guard in the NBA, but he has enormous offensive skills. He can shoot threes and drive to the basket. Thornton was 0-6 last night from three point land, but he kept shooting. He has a scorer's mentality, something the Hornets desperately need from the two guard spot.
First round pick Darren Collison made some mistakes, but it is clear Collison can dribble penetrate and kick, in other words do some of what Chris Paul can do when he subs for CP3.
With Collison, Thornton, and Brown in the game, the Hornets played faster last night. They were actually a running team that got cheap baskets. And, it was fun to watch.
Maybe the Hornets 2009-2010 season can be a solid one, after all.
Ed Daniels